Furniture structure

ABSTRACT

An improved article of furniture with four uprights adjustably supporting near their upper ends a bed frame and supporting below the bed frame a table surface carrying benches adjacent the table surface with the uprights capable of supporting any load and each including tripod arranged legs secured together at a connecting point at their upper ends and spread apart at their lower ends with connecting members limiting the spreading movement of the legs.

United States Patent [191 Meyer 1 Mar. 27, 1973 FURNITURE STRUCTURE [76]Inventor: Theodore H. Meyer, 417 Summit St., Barrington, [11. 60010 [22]Filed: Mar. 16, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 124,859

[52] US. Cl 8, 5/9

[51 Int. Cl. ..A47c 17/40, A47c 7/03 [58] Field of Search ..5/289, 127,129, 130; 182/118, 182/1 19 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,362,567 11/1944 La Rue ..297/l84 X 3,338,648 9/1967 Bannister...

9/1882 French ..5/l3OX Vincent ..5/ l 30 Droeger et al ..l82/l 18 XPrimary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross& Simpson ABSTRACT An improved article of furniture with four uprightsadjustably supporting near their upper ends a bed frame and supportingbelow the bed frame a table surface carrying benches adjacent the tablesurface with the uprights capable of supporting any load and eachineluding tripod arranged legs secured together at a connecting point attheir upper ends and spread apart at their lower ends with connectingmembers limiting the spreading movement of the legs.

1 1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATEY-1TEDMAR27|975 722,205

SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR THEODORE H. MEYER BY wwomms FURNITURE STRUCTUREBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improved articleof furniture and particularly combined bed and desk or table having aunique construction for stability and for use in a room area of limitedsize.

In homes and apartments two basic pieces of furniture are a bed and atable. In areas of limited space, or in order to save space, the presentinvention contemplates combining such units with a unique extremelystable support in such a manner that the two units can be embodied inthe same space formerly'required by I one. Such a construction is verydesirable in small apartments, college rooming houses, childrens roomsin homes and like uses wherein it is advantageous to save floor space.In pieces of furniture which have been heretofore available and havecombined functions, it has been necessary toyield some functionality ofone of the pieces in order to effect the combination making one pieceless desirable or the stability and strength of the piece has beenreduced. It is conventionally necessary to compromise on the features ofa piece of furniture in order to combine its function with another. Thepresent structure does not sacrifice features and the combinationenhances the operation of the units.

I have discovered an improved and unique support structure which iscapable of providing a vertical support unit for mounting and carryingany type of horizontal load member which is particularly well suited foruse in a combination which provides a combined bed and desk or tableunit.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide animproved vertical support structure providing features of stability,inexpensive construction, light weight, ease of packaging,susceptibility to mass production manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combinedtable and bed unit which performs the function of both and requires onlythe floor space of a single unit wherein the structure is such that thecombined features each contribute to the usefulness of the other.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent withthe disclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in the claims,specification and drawings, in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Asshown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the article of furniture includes fourquadrilaterally positioned upright support units 12, 13, 14 and 15. Eachof the upright supports are substantially identically constructed andare positioned so that they coact with each other for vertical supportand lateral stability.

Mounted on the upright supports is a horizontally disposed bed frame 10.This bed frame is at an elevated position so as to be spaced above ahorizontally disposed working surface 11 which is also mounted betweensaid upright supports 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The working surface 11 functions as a tabletop or a desk surface forperforming the functions thereof and in an instance where the unit isemployed in a small apartment or a students room, the table 11 mayfunction both as a table and a desk. The bed frame 10 is mounted asufficient distance above the tabletop 11 so as to provide a workingarea. With a conventional 8 foot ceiling, this will still provideadequate sleeping room above the bed. The table also provides anovernight storage place for clothes and the like, and the bed occupantmay reach down to the tabletop. The bed frame may be a rectangular steelframe with a spring mounted on the frame and accommodates a mattress andbedding. An optimum height for the table 11 is 30 inches from the floorF with the bed frame being positioned approximately 5-% feet from thefloor by leaving a 2-% feet work space above the table 11. Variations inthese elevations may be employed and the table 11 may be positionedbetween 16 inches and 36 inches from the floor and the bed at anelevation of 4 to 6-% feet with at least 2- feet between them.Positioned at the ends of the table 11 are benches such as 16, which arealso mounted on the upright supports. The drawings illustrate a benchonly at one end of the table 11, but a similar bench could be positionedat the other end, and additional benches at the sides if desired. Thepresence of the bed above in no way detracts from the use of the table,and the lower surface of the bed reflects light downwardly arching in auniform distribution of reflected light such as from a lamp on thetable.

The details of construction of the upright supports are best illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5. Inasmuch as each of the four upright supports are thesame, the upright 14 need only be described in detail.

The upright FIG. 5 includes three legs 17, 18 and 19 which are situatedin tripod form. Corresponding legs are foundin each of the four uprights12, 13, I4 and 15, and the legs are there identified by the same numberswith a letter suffix. For example, the legs for the upright 14 are shownat 17a, 18a and 19a.

The legs are connected to each other at their upper ends at a connectingpoint by through bolt 20. This bolt extends through holes drilledthrough each of the legs.

In the form of structure illustrated, the bed frame is supported by achain 21 which is looped around the top of the outboard leg 19 and hangsdownwardly to eonnect to the bed frame by being looped around a shortprojecting leg 22. Various forms of arrangements may be used to connectto the bed frame such as providing notches in the metal, but with thepresent arrangement with the formation of a simple loop in the chain 22and g are spread apart at theirlower ends. They are positioned so thatthey extend vertically parallel with respect to a vertical plane Pextending down through the center of the bed, FIG. 2. With thisconstruction, lateral force in the direction of the arrow 29, FIG. 2, isnot supported by the upright 14 but is carried by the upright 15 becauseof the outboard leg 19. Similarly, a force in the direction of thearrowv 30 is not carried by the upright 15, but is instead carried bythe upright 14 because of the angularly extending outboard leg'19a. It

has been discovered that-the inboard legs 17 and 18 can be maintainedwith their inner surfaces in a vertical plane to take up a minimum ofspace with a vertically aligned load and yet complete lateral stabilityfrom horizontal forces is obtained by the coaction of the opposeduprights.

Thus, the legs 17 and 18, FIG. diverge apart at their lower ends, butare in a vertical plane with respect to a vertical plane passing betweenthe upright and the opposed upright 14. The outboard leg 19 extendsangularly outwardly and is located in a position with the planebisecting the angle between the two inboard legs 17 and 18. The legs aremaintained in their predetermined spread position with a horizontaltieing member 24 secured to each of the legs 17 and 18. A second tieingmember 25 is secured at its inner end to the first tieing member 24 andat its outer end to the outboard leg 19 and holds it in itspredetermined spread position.

The horizontal tieing member 24 may beprovided with an extension 24which provides a support for the bench 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 1through 3. At the other upright, a similar tieing member 240 supportsthe other end of the bench l6.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the opposing uprights areconstructed'with the inboard legs 18 and 18a in a vertical plane withrespect to the vertical loads, i.e., the

table 11 and the bed 10, so as to provide equal width between them forthe upper and lower load.

For an individual ascending into the bed, ladder rungs 29 may beattachedto the legs as shown for the upright 12, FIGS. 1 and 2.

The unit piece of furniture may be provided with additional pertinencessuch as cabinets 26 and 28, FIGS. 1 and 2. For a cabinet 26, tablesupport cro'ss pieces 23 and 23a may be provided with extensions, suchas shown at 23' in FIG. 5, for carrying the cabinet 26.

For the cabinet 28, support pieces 27b and 270 may be provided. Thesupport piece 270 is connected to the outer surface of the legs 17c and180. The support 27b may be connected to the outer surface of the legs17b and 18b. Again, inasmuch as the legs extend in a vertical planerelative to the loads, the support pieces may be readily connected.

The entire unit is contained within a space'only' slightly larger thanthe bed and substantially the same size as would be required in anyevent for the table and its associated bench. When placed on a floor orcarpet, the unit becomes immediately stable and does not sway or yieldduring use. The uprights may be formed of any material, but two by twowood pieces are very suitable for the purpose. It will be observed thatall of the uprights and support pieces may be formed of the same sizetwo by two wood and that the parts are all straight so that they caneasily be manufactured and created for economy and simplicity ofshipping. Further, this with either a single or a double bed.

While the unique coacting construction of the uprights is particularlywell suited in the combination shown for an article of furniture, it isto be understood that they may be employed for other uses. Thecombination of two opposed uprights, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, maywell be employed in pairs for various vertical support functions. It isessential that two be used in opposition to each other so that the crossforces in either directionare supported by one of the outboard legs, andthey thusly act together. The inboard legs, of course, will providelateral support for loads normal to a plane extending across through thetwo uprights. I

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided an improved support whichmeets the objectives and advantages above set forth and which obtains anarticle of furniture which operates to provide a multitude of functionsin a single room within limited floorspace.

' I claim as my invention:

1. A support structure for furniture comprising in combination,

quadrilaterally positioned upright vertical supports each having a pairof inboard legs and an outboard leg positioned outwardly of said pairwith said legs being tripod arranged and interconnected at an upperconnection point and separated at their lower ends to engage a floorsurface at spaced locations, 1

an upper furniture member having a rigid frame and suspended onthesupport units,

a lower furniture member supported between said support units, meanssecuring the lower furniture member to said support units so that theirlateral positions are determined,

and means connecting the rigid frame of the upper furniture member tothe support units yieldable in horizontal directions so that the supportunits can move at their upper ends to assume an upright positionand thelegs of the units fully engage a floor surface.

2. A support structure constructed in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid inboard legs are parallel to a vertical plane passing midwaybetween them.

3. A support structure for furniture in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid means for connecting the upper furniture member'includes flexiblesuspension chains between the upper furniture member and each of thesupport units.

4. A support structure for furniture in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid chains are adjustably conwith claim 1 wherein said lower furnituremember is a 1 desk.

7. A support structure for furniture in accordance with claim 6 andincluding seats supported on said support units for the desk.

8. A support structure for furniture in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid means connecting the upper furniture member are in the form ofdownwardly extending suspension units connected between the upper end ofthe support units and the upper furniture member.

9. A support structure for furniture comprising in the legs of each ofthe support units so that the support units can shift vertically intheir upright positions with the lower ends of the legs firmly engaginga floor surface.

10. An article of furniture constructed in accordance with claim 1 andincluding a horizontal tying member connected between the inboard legsof each of the ver tical supports and projecting outwardly of one of thelegs, and a bench member mounted on the tying members where they projectoutwardly of the leg 1 1. An article of furniture constructed inaccordance with. claim 1 and including a first horizontal tying memberextending between. the inboard legs of each of the vertical supportslimiting their separation, and a second tying member extending betweenthe first tying member and the outboard leg limiting its outwardmovement.

1. A support structure for furniture comprising in combination,quadrilaterally positioned upright vertical supports each having a pairof inboard legs and an outboard leg positioned outwardly of said pairwith said legs being tripod arranged and interconnected at an upperconnection point and separated at their lower ends to engage a floorsurface at spaced locations, an upper furniture member having a rigidframe and suspended on the support units, a lower furniture membersupported between said support units, means securing the lower furnituremember to said support units so that their lateral positions aredetermined, and means connecting the rigid frame of the upper furnituremember to the support units yieldable in horizontal directions so thatthe support units can move at their upper ends to assume an uprightposition and the legs of the units fully engage a floor surface.
 2. Asupport structure constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidinboard legs are parallel to a vertical plane passing midway betweenthem.
 3. A support structure for furniture in accordance with claim 1wherein said means for connecting the upper furniture member includesflexible suspension chains between the upper furniture member and eachof the support units.
 4. A support structure for furniture in accordancewith claim 3 wherein said chains are adjustably connectible to the upperfurniture member for controlling its elevation.
 5. A support structurefor furniture in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper furnituremember is a bed.
 6. A support structure for furniture in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said lower furniture member is a desk.
 7. A supportstructure for furniture in accordance with claim 6 and including seatssupported on said support units for the desk.
 8. A support structure forfurniture in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means connecting theupper furniture member are in the form of downwardly extendingsuspension units connected between the upper end of the support unitsand the upper furniture member.
 9. A support structure for furniturecomprising in combination, a plurality of spaced vertical support unitseach having tripod arranged legs interconnected at an upper locationwith the lower ends spread and engaging a floor surface, an upperfurniture member suspended from the support units on verticallydownwardly extending horizontally yieldable suspension members, and alower furniture member secured to only one of the legs of each of thesupport units so that the support units can shift vertically in theirupright positions with the lower ends of the legs firmly engaging afloor surface.
 10. An article of furniture constructed in accordancewith claim 1 and including a horizontal tying member connected betweenthe inboard legs of each of the vertical supports and projectingoutwardly of one of the legs, and a bench member mounted on the tyingmembers where they project outwardly of the leg.
 11. An article offurniture constructed in accordance with claim 1 and including a firsthorizontal tying member extending between the inboard legs of each ofthe vertical supports limiting their separation, and a second tyingmember extending between the first tying member and the outboard leglimiting its outward movement.